Random News: Oscars to nominate 10 for Best Picture

Official Press Release:

Beverly Hills, CA (June 24, 2009) — The 82nd Academy Awards, which will be presented on March 7, 2010, will have 10 feature films vying in the Best Picture category, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced today (June 24) at a press conference in Beverly Hills.

Read the full story here.

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Okay, most of us know that Oscars don't really mean anything, but to those in the industry, it's still a pretty nice thing to be nominated. So on behalf of them, I offer this opinion:

First of all, I'm struggling to see how they'll even be able to find 10 films worthy of a "best picture" nomination. The five up for it last year weren't even all the best ones. But even so, 10 films up for best picture. It's ridiculous. It completely cheapens the whole honor. It will cease to be a big deal for people. The ones who say "It's an honor just to be nominated." Yeah well, you and everybody else in the room. I just think it loses something. Credibility, perhaps.

Video: Pineapple Express sketch from The Oscars

Video: Academy Award's 2009 Movie Preview

In case you missed it.

Music is Beck covering Bob Dylan's Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Rant: Awards Season

When Kate Winslet accepted her award for Best Actress on February 22, she didn't look thrilled or particularly surprised. (Her speech was still on the cringe-worthy side). When she won the Golden Globe for her role in The Reader, she DID seem taken aback and genuinely shocked. Before that time, she had a very long losing streak. So, she broke it, but at the Golden Globes. And, as everybody knows, no one ever mentions Golden Globe nominations not won when talking about an actor or actress. Kate Winslet won the SAG, The Golden Globe, The BAFTA, Several critics awards, and now an Oscar.

But by the time we get to the climax of Awards season, I'm pretty sure everyone is burned out on getting dressed up, going to sit in an uncomfortable theater for 3 hours and watch montages and listen to actors and actresses deliver painfully awkward speeches. And Kate Winslet didn't seem to revel in her glory of finally winning an oscar after going 0-5. In fact, she seemed to accept it pretty easily, and for someone who's wanted her to win for a long long time, it wasn't that exciting.

At the Golden Globes, nobody had an idea about who might walk away with the Best Drama award, as it was still pretty up in the air at that time. When Slumdog did, and then it won a slew of others, there was absolutely no surprise or excitement on Oscar Night. People only want oscars and stupid award season is ruining it.

So why the ceremonies? Why the Golden Globes? Let Television have the Emmys. Film can have the Oscars and the Spirit Awards, and the rest can go away and celebrities can get their awards mailed to them.

But, if they're going to keep doing all these award shows, I might as well watch them.

2009 Oscar Winners

Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008/I): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris

A few thoughts:
-Yay, Sean Penn
-Yay best original screenplay, Dustin Lance Black
-Boo Jai Ho
-Yay Man on Wire

The Ceremony:
I watched it with my sister, and before it started we were really thrilled with the prospect of Javier Bardem presenting the Best Supporting Actress oscar to Penelope Cruz (they ARE still dating, right??) but then STUPID thing with the winners past probably added a good half hour to the show. I hope they never do it again.

Too many musical numbers. I know, Hugh Jackman is a hollywood actor who has been in broadway musicals and he hosted the Tony's that one year. But really, it's embarrassing. I'm embarrassed for the Oscars.

The Judd Apatow directed/Seth Rogen written Pineapple Express parody was the most inspired moment of the night.

I liked the set. And the theme was interesting. Other than that, I didn't care much else what happened. It was a night of very minimal surprises... Except the only category anybody cared about: Best Actor.

See the full list of winners HERE.

Oscar Nominations 2008

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Nominees to be determined
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson

SEE FULL LIST HERE

Well. Revolutionary Road didn't get nominated. That's good. But The Dark Knight ALSO didn't get nominated. That's bad. And The Reader? I mean, it was good, but not Oscar good.

However, I'm really glad to see Kate Winslet only get nominated for The Reader, and in the Best Actress category, because now if she wins, it'll be for the right film. Also, now I need to see Frozen River.

I'm glad to see Josh Brolin AND Robert Downey Jr. with Oscar noms. Totally well deserved. And Heath Ledger, bless him. I can only hope he wins. The Best Supporting Actor category this year rocks.

And hey, In Bruges got nominated for best original screenplay. Woo.

Best Song- No Bruce Springsteen? Okay....

For Your Consideration: Kirk Lazarus for Best Supporting Actor

This is both real and fake. Obviously Kirk Lazarus can't be nominated for an Oscar--he isn't real. Plus, hasn't he won FIVE already? Give someone else a shot.
No, this is Dreamworks' clever campaign to get Robert Downey Jr. an Oscar Nod for his role in Tropic Thunder. He's hands down the best part of that movie, and though he won't win (fingers crossed for Heath Ledger) but I think it would be awesome if two summer blockbusters got acting nominations--in the same category. You usually see them get nominated for Sound awards at best (See: The Bourne Ultimatum, which took home 3 of those last year). Says something about the movies this summer, which I think have been the gems of the entire year. Sad, but true.

For Your Consideration: The Dark Knight

Warner Brothers has been working fervently to campaign for The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger for Oscar Nominations. This poster=probably the coolest thing ever.

For Your Consideration: Heath Ledger

From /film:
Warner Bros has publicly begun its push with this Variety advertisement for Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Academy Award ballots are mailed on December 26th, polls close on January 12th, and the nominations are announced on January 22nd.

He will have to contend with Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt, John Malkovich in Changeling, Ralph Fiennes in Duchess, John Malkovich and Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading and Robert Downey, Jr. in Tropic Thunder. Will the Academy recognize an outstanding performance in a “comic book movie”?

Random News: The Results

For those counting: Bourne Ultimatum-3 oscars, Juno-1 oscar.

Other than that I think the Oscars went as smoothly and as predictably as anyone could've imagined.

A brief rundown of how I felt:

First off, I was very confused about the order of these awards. From what I can recall, every ceremony has kicked off with the Best Supporting Actress award. Well, that was actually more in the middle of the ceremony. Also, the last three awards given were Actor, Director, and Picture. What makes Best Actor so much more important and epic than Best Actress?

Also on that note--before Best Actor was the Best Original Screenplay award, which seemed conveniently built up on. Sigh.

Other than that, I was quite pleased with the results.

BEST PICTURE
No Country for Old Men
--Yep. We all know how I feel about this one. Very pleased indeed.
BEST DIRECTOR
Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
--Again. The best choice. This award was not only for this movie, but for their stream of classics they've pushed out through the years.
BEST ACTOR
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
--Helen Mirren announced this before she even opened the envelope. I thought it would've been funny if it had actually been Johnny Depp. Day-Lewis dedicates awards to sons, not Heath Ledger.
BEST ACTRESS
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
--Cate Blanchett's reaction to her winning was priceless! I think everybody in that room was as ecstatic as she was. This virtual unknown french actress (who I only know from small roles is like, two films) was so happy and so sweet up on that stage. I'm really glad she won. Now I just have to see the film...
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
--Ah, he is probably the coolest guy I have or will ever see in this business. I'm blown away by Señor Bardem.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
--I was sad that Cate didn't win (but admittedly, nobody had a lock on this award), however, Tilda Swinton's speech was pretty good. I wish I could work with George Clooney, so I could make fun of him from the stage.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Diablo Cody, Juno
--She cried. I cried. For different reasons, of course. She won. Can we get over her now?
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
--Yussss. I'm glad that the Coens pretty much dominated the awards show (besides editing, mixing and cinematography). This was really their year.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Ratatouille
--Didn't see it, but I'm sure.. I'm absolutely sure it's great.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Taxi to the Dark Side
--
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Counterfeiters (Austria)
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BEST ORIGINAL SONG
''Falling Slowly,'' Once
--Oh my god. I was legitimately thrilled for this to win. "The little movie that could", as so aptly described by Colin Farrell, really did, and boy were those two happy. Glen Hansaard has the coolest accent. He says stuff like "Tanks" instead of "Thanks". Good choice, academy.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Atonement
--This score? Beautiful. If it wasn't going to be There Will be Blood, I would've wanted it to be this.
BEST ART DIRECTION
Sweeney Todd
--I think I called this. Didn't I? I think it would be a terrible shame for a movie based on a play NOT to win for best art direction.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
There Will Be Blood
--Spot on. This movie? Bloody gorgeous.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
--Ha! I called this one too!
BEST FILM EDITING
The Bourne Ultimatum
--Damn, I didn't see it. But, it's one of those movies, I guess.
BEST MAKEUP
La Vie en Rose
--The transformation from turning the french rosette Cotillard into the withered Edith Piaf was seamless.
BEST SOUND EDITING
The Bourne Ultimatum
--*see film editing
BEST SOUND MIXING
The Bourne Ultimatum
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BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Golden Compass
--Um, sure!
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
Peter & the Wolf
--
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Freeheld
--
BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT
Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)
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Overall this was a pretty good ceremony, although the musical numbers made it tough, as well as the Honorary Oscar speech (I know they can turn on the music for them. They just don't).

Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill--Best. Presenters. Ever.

Random Notes: The Nominations

The Academy Award nominations were announced today. They are as follows:

Best Picture

Atonement

Juno

Michael Clayton

No Country for Old Men

There Will Be Blood

--I am very sad to see Juno up here. For some reason, people have eaten up this sassy and pretentious teen-pregnancy comedy. I do not think it was the best picture of the year, not by far. However, three of my favorite pictures of the year--Atonement, No Country and There Will be Blood--are nominated. I'm hoping it's at least between those three. Of the selection, Atonement has the best chance, because that's just the kind of movie it is, although I think it should be No Country for Old Men, but hey, that's just me.

Best Actor

George Clooney-Michael Clayton

Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will be Blood

Johnny Depp-Sweeney Todd

Tommy Lee Jones-In the Valley of Elah

Viggo Mortensen-Eastern Promises

--I think there's no question- Daniel Day-Lewis has been the favorite for months and months before TWBB even came out. I've always been a big Johnny Depp backer, but I honestly don't care at all that he's nominated. He won the golden globe, much to my surprise (and delight), but in this pool of actors, he's nearly last for me. I can't say a whole lot, though, because this competition is (hopefully) all wrapped up for Day-Lewis.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett-Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Julie Christie-Away from Her

Marion Cotillard- La Vie en Rose

Laura Linney-The Savages

Ellen Page-Juno

--Curse Ellen Page. Everyone knew she would get nominated, but if she wins I will burn buildings. Anyway, I have only seen two of the 5 movies on this list, so I can't provide speculation, but from what I hear, Marion Cotillard gives a spectacular performance, and she did win the Golden Globe and I also *hear* that she's a lock for the trophy, and has been for a long long time.

Best Supporting Actor

Casey Affleck-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Javier Bardem-No Country for Old Men

Philip Seymour Hoffman- Charlie Wilson's War

Hal Holbrook-Into the Wild

Tom Wilkinson- Michael Clayton

--It's nice to see PSH get a nod, after all he did 3 movies this year, he was bound to get noticed for one of them. I can't say for definite who might win this one. Javier Bardem won a Golden Globe but Hal Holbrook has been a favorite for a long time and he was pretty spectacular in Into the Wild. If I was putting money on it, I'd say it was between those two.

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett-I'm Not There

Ruby Dee-American Gangster

Saoirse Ronan-Atonement

Amy Ryan-Gone baby Gone

Tilda Swinton-Michael Clayton

--Apparently Michael Clayton has great acting performances and I still haven't seen it. Damn. Anyway, I think Cate Blanchett is the favorite in this category (she's always mine), so she'll probably win, but I hear Amy Ryan is great in Gone Baby Gone...But I haven't seen it.. I actually thought that Ruby Dee's performance was amazing, but I believe in this race she's a true underdog. Like, seriously. I think it's unfortunate that Saoirse Ronan is nominated for Atonement but James McAvoy is not. Because he truly delivered.

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson-There Will Be Blood

Ethan and Joel Coen-No Country for Old Men

Tony Gilroy-Michael Clayton

Jason Reitman-Juno

Julian Schnabel-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

--Juno again?? I understand that people like this film, but seriously, why?? Anyway, I don't know who to root for here. I think PT Anderson did a really fantastic job but I also loved No Country... I suppose we could just give it to Julian Schnabel. I loved TDBATBF (jeez...) a whole lot. Yes. A whole lot. 

Best Original Screenplay

Juno- Diablo Cody

Lars and the Real Girl-Nancy Oliver

Michael Clayton-Tony Gilroy

Rataouille- Brad Bird

The Savages-Tamara Jenkins

--Fuck it. Just give it to Diablo Cody.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Atonement-Chris Hampton

Away from Her- Sarah Polley

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly-Ronald Harwood

No Country for Old Men- Joel and Ethan Coen

There Will be Blood- Paul Thomas Anderson

--Hm... Well, I haven't read any of these books, and I haven't seen one of these movies, so I have nothing on this category. My mom is reading Atonement and says that it's exactly like the movie..So maybe that should win?

Best Cinematography

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Atonement

No Country for Old Men

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

There Will be Blood

--I would've said The Diving Bell but after I saw There Will be Blood that sold me for best cinematography. Really striking landscapes and colors. Superb frame work.

Editing

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

The Bourne Ultimatum

Into the Wild

No Country for Old Men

There Will be Blood

--No Country and TWBB are against each other in nearly everything, it seems. I love them both, which one do I want to win? Uh, Into the Wild, no. Because you had shitty, shitty graphics. I would have to say the Diving Bell for this one. Really interesting look. Good.. Arty.

Art Direction

American Gangster

Atonement

The Golden Compass

Sweeney Todd

There Will be Blood

--I didn't see The Golden Compass, but I heard cool things about the look of it. But I would say that this is between Sweeney Todd and TWBB.

Costume Design

Across the Universe

Atonement

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

La Vie En Rose

Sweeney Todd

--Across the Universe didn't have costumes. Atonement had very pretty ones, La Vie en Rose probably won't win, neither will Sweeney Todd. So, Elizabeth it is. I never saw this, but some of the only good things I heard were how amazing the costumes where, so why wouldn't it win? Oscar is predictable like that.

Makeup

Norbit

Pirates of the Caribbean 3

La Vie En Rose

--Oh my God. How amazing would it be if Norbit won an oscar? That's incredible. Anyway, I would say that Norbit doesn't have a shot against the other two, and I think that La Vie en Rose might actually win.

Original Score

Atonement

The Kite Runner

Michael Clayton

Ratatouille

3:10 to Yuma

--WHAT. No Original Score nomination for There Will Be Blood?? It was absolutely brilliant. I quit this blog.

Best Song

August Rush

Enchanted (3)

Once

--I'm not putting the song titles up because it's not important. Once must win. It simply must. It breaks the rules for musicals. It's incredible. If you haven't seen it, you must. Besides, the song that's up for the award is really beautiful.

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That's all I shall touch upon for this. I must say that I'm pretty disappointed by a lot of these. I don't think that the Oscars are for people who are true lovers of film. If I was running the show, Juno wouldn't even be allowed to compete. 

But, I'll still watch them anyway.